asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether his Department has formed any estimate as to the increase or decrease in the consumption of butter that will take place as a result of the removal of the subsidy on butter and the derationing thereof.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Consumption of Bread, Butter and Flour.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether his Department has formed any estimate as to the increase or decrease in consumption of (a) bread and (b) flour that will result from the combined effect of the decrease of subsidy and the derationing of these commodities.
With the consent of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 14 together.
The best estimates that can now be made suggest that there may be no change in the over-all level of consumption of these commodities.
May the House take it that this in effect is the final view, as distinct from the view put forward on the Budget, that the fact that there was to be white bread which would be unrationed would lead to a higher consumption?
We do not pretend to be able to foresee the future. One guess is as good as another.